IDENTITY politics will continue to dominate the next two general elections, said leaders from both sides of the political divide.

For Umno’s Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, apart from the continued political game of identity politics, the victories in the recent by-elections have given birth the alliance of the Malay-Muslim bloc of PAS and Umno.

“These by-elections will not in itself determine the results of the next general election, but these by-elections have determined the flavour of what is to come,” he said in a panel session at the Post-GE14 by-elections: implications for GE15 forum today.

He said that the alliance between the Malay-Muslim parties means the next general election will be centred around identity politics. 

“Of course, it is not something I agree with. I’m cast out of Umno because I don’t really like identity politics, I believe you can win from the centre,” he said. 

Touching on the race element in politics, Khairy said it is difficult to completely do-away with ethnocentric politics. 

Taking the formation of Bersatu as an example, Khairy said Dr Mahathir Mohamad had worked towards creating a party which was similar to Umno in terms of its ethnocentric membership. 

“That reflected Dr Mahathir’s thinking that that is still how politics is viewed and that a majority of Malaysians still view political issues from ethnic lines,” he said.

“I don’t think that (race politics) is going to change in our lifetimes. I think it is still going to be there in our lifetime.” 

However, Khairy said Dr Mahathir’s designated successor Anwar Ibrahim had the courage to set up a multi-racial party. 

“Whatever you say about Anwar, he had the courage to set up a multi-racial party when he was sacked from Umno,” he said while referring to PKR. 

However, he said the same have also worked against the Port Dickson MP, as setting up PKR, has caused him to lose some support from the Malay ground which is more inclined towards PAS and Umno.

“Perhaps with Anwar as prime minister, if that happens you may see the strengthening of multi-racial politics, or because he is weak on that (Malay ground) you might see PAS and Umno attack him on that, and identity politics may become worse,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Bersatu supreme council member Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff, who was also speaking at the panel session, said identity politics will be the theme for at least the next two general elections.

“At least the next two GEs, you like it or not, it will be driven by perception. Identity politics is going to drive the next two GE,” he said. 

“Race, religion, royalty will be the factors at least in the next two elections,” he added. – August 28, 2019.